Posts Tagged “Florida”

I mentioned yesterday that Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) has announced that he doesn’t plan to run for reelection in 2010. There is going to be stiff competition for his seat and it was even being mentioned (as somewhat of a long shot) that former Governor Jeb Bush might put his name into the race. 

I began a draft post this morning based on information from Marc Ambinder that the “long shot” might be decidedly shorter than expected: 

Two sources close to Jeb Bush, including one who has spoken to the former Florida governor within the past few hours, say he is seriously considering a run for Senate now that incumbent Republican Mel Martinez has retired.

“He is receiving a lot of encouragement from both in and out of the state,” an longtime Bush adviser said tonight. “He is going to take his time and approach this very methodically.”  Bush will weigh, according to this adviser, how a run would impact his family, his business, and whether the Senate would be the best platform for the causes he’d advocate — education, immigration, GOP solutions to health care and energy.

Bush did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

But Jeb Bush had already responded to Politico by email last night, saying: “I am considering it.” It is speculated that if J.B. does get into the race, the other Republican candidates- including Rep. Connie Mack- will back down. But the path might not be so smooth if current Governor Charlie Crist decided to enter the race. J.B. and Crist aren’t fond of each other- with Bush suggesting that Crist is “Democrat-lite”. Crist was a strong contender for John McCain’s v.p. pick back in those innocent days before we all knew (and feared) Sarah Palin. He wa such a favorite that Crist- a long time bachelor- managed a rather, um, conveniently timed engagement to a woman no one knew he had even met. And if you know anything about Crist, that “woman” part says quite a bit, too. 

“But, surely,” you say, “In an America when even the still delusional George W. Bush acknowledges that the Bush name might be somewhat tainted, another branch from the dull shrub wouldn’t make it into the Senate?” Unfortunately, Jeb Bush remains fairly popular in the state. And portions of the still fractured Republican party may back J.B. just to spite the “other” Republicans. 

In summary: Yes, we are already covering the 2010 elections.

From the Miami Herald (h/t to Shakesville):

A Miami-Dade circuit judge Tuesday declared Florida’s 30-year-old ban on gay adoption unconstitutional, allowing a North Miami man to adopt two foster kids he has raised since 2004.

Florida has long been behind the curve on this issue, but with the passage of both Prop 8 and Arkansas’ little bit o’ stupidity, it had seemed that nationally we were regressing rather than progressing. Nice to see a reversal of course, so to speak.

The Herald quotes from the judge’s opinion:

”Based on the evidence presented from experts from all over this country and abroad,” Lederman wrote, “it is clear that sexual orientation is not a predictor of a person’s ability to parent. Sexual orientation no more leads to psychiatric disorders, alcohol and substance abuse, relationship instability, a lower life expectancy or sexual disorders than race, gender, socioeconomic class or any other demographic characteristic.

”The most important factor in ensuring a well-adjusted child is the quality of parenting,” Lederman wrote.

This is basic common sense, aided by a fair examination of objective evidence. Therefore, we can pretty much bank on an appeal from the “family values” crowd. After all, nothing says “We value families” quite like pulling them apart for no other reasons than simple-minded fear and unexamined bigotry.

But in the meantime, the ruling is a breath of fresh air. You go, Florida!